One of the things I don't do

Watching TV. (And no, cartoons don't count!)

A few years ago, I decided to swap my habit of watching television for the pleasure of reading, with the goal of adding the reading time in my routine again, and increasing the number of books I read per year. And what a difference it made in my life! After becoming a mother, my routine changed completely, and I had to readjust to this new reality. In the process, I ended up putting reading aside for a while, but I finally reintroduced this habit that enriches me so much.

This change came about after a careful analysis of how I used my time. When I reflected on the activities that really brought me pleasure, in contrast to my daily obligations, I realized that I spent about 3 hours a day watching television. Three hours! And the most surprising thing is that I don't even consider myself someone who watches a lot of TV. According to Marktest's Media & Advertising Global Report (2023), the average daily TV consumption in Portugal is 5 hours and 23 minutes. My only reaction was: what a waste of time!

I know it depends on each person, but for me, those hours in front of the television are a waste of valuable time, especially considering how little free time we have when compared to our daily responsibilities. When we add up the time spent on meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—we arrive at a considerable number of "wasted" hours. Whenever I'm alone, the TV remains off. When I'm with my daughters, however, we turn on the television only to watch our favorite cartoon: Bluey ! If you haven't heard of it yet, I recommend it—it's a cartoon made for children, but that touches adults too.

Why do I consider it a waste of time?

Because I’m not being productive. I’m not investing my time in something that will bring me real benefits. On the contrary, watching TV ends up taking away benefits—especially when it comes to mental health. Feeding our minds is each of our responsibility, and what we consume has a direct impact on that. For me, watching TV is not aligned with my values or my life purpose.

Television has become a refuge for many, a way to escape from difficult realities and avoid facing fears, rejections and discomforts. Do you know anyone like this? People who hide in the TV? If you observe, you will see that these people often complain about life, instead of enjoying it. They do not try to improve themselves every day, but rather wait for others to do things for them. They take few risks, preferring to stay in their comfort zone. If you know someone like this, I have some advice for you: If you don't care about yourself, no one else will .

Yes, this phrase may be hard to hear, but it is the pure truth. No one wants to carry the burden of responsibility for their own life, but everyone wants the "bonus" that some people seem to have. However, what few realize is that, instead of spending hours in front of the television watching content that does nothing to contribute to their personal growth, these people are busy working to build what many call "luck."

As I often say: luck takes a lot of work .

The question remains: are you willing to do this work?